Jainism: Let Truth Prevail

The Jain philosophy of Anekantavada (multitude beliefs) tells us that there are no absolute theories or formulae that can describe reality in absolute terms. Rather, our belief of Anekantavada tells us that we do not know the complete truth. We can learn from others as well. Let truth prevail, say Jains . Truth in its final analysis is wholesome and one, which leads us to love and understanding. And that is the very necessary essence of all religions.

Jainism's motto is "We stand for Spiritualisation of the human race." Its Spiritual influence has always fallen above the world like that of the gentle dew, none heard and scarcely marked, yet bringing into bloom the fairest flowers of the earth. It seeks to be relevant to all living creatures.

It needs to be stressed that mere sacrifice is not the same as being spiritual; sacrifice should also make you useful to humanity.

Without moral and spiritual education, no amount of material advancement can bring about peace in individual, family, community or international relations. Wars are the products of mind, and peace therefore will have to be found in the mind. In this way, the Jain religion has taught us the way of purifying our inner hearts by creating a constitution of humanity and has bestowed upon this world the message of unity, love, peace and friendship through the ideology of non-violence, non-attachment and acceptance of pluralism or multi-dimensionalism.

Knowledge is of most fundamental importance to Jains, since the ultimate aim of the religion is to gain omniscience that will result in release from all karma. Since knowledge plays so important a role in Jain philosophy and religion, religious books have always held special interest for the Jains.

Jain scriptures guide us on the path of inner growth.

They show us how to move on from the creation of material wealth to the next state - the creation of spiritual wealth. Jain philosophy says, a true guru is, the supreme embodiment of patience who removes doubts and gently leads us to clarity and enlightenment. He not only tells his people how to live their life, but sets out an ideal. He leads by suggestion and example. He does not bind his pupils in a miasma of theory and ritual. He does not blind them by the brilliance of his own personality, but opens their eyes to truth, beauty, love and wisdom.

Jains venerate the Tirthankaras with eightfold offering (symbolic thing and pure emotional ideas) In other words God for the Jains is the ultimate expression and realisation of human perfection. The true God is within us. That spirituality which leads to realisation of the inner being can only be felt in a mystical fashion. In real sense God lives in our hearts, not in temples and mosques.

Most religions associate God with creation. God is viewed as the eternal Creator. Jain theory denies the existence of a creator, and as well as guardian spirits. The world has always existed and is subjected to the eternal laws of karma, the causality of recompense and punishment. Some divinities like Ambika (mother goddess), Sarasvati (goddess of knowledge) and Padmavati mata ( Yakshini of Parshvanath ) etc. are associated with the lives of Jinas in a benevolent manner. They are guardian spirits ( sasanadev i) who fulfils the mundane wishes of their devotees, but remain subservient to the Jinas . They are important figures in their own right in Jain religion. A group of nine planetary deities known as Navagraha are also given importance in Jainism as they are believed to influence the destinies of all human beings and their affairs.